DUBAI // Gary Kirsten, the India coach, has brushed aside fears that Twenty20 competitions like the Indian Premier League (IPL) could diminish the country's pool of Test cricketers, saying the five-day format will always be the pinnacle of the sport.
Rahul Dravid, one of Test cricket's foremost batsmen, recently said that young Indian cricketers lacked the "all-consuming desperation" to succeed in the longer version of the game because of the growing appeal of events like the IPL.
Kirsten, however, suggested the IPL can benefit Indian cricket by improving their Twenty20 game without infringing on, or harming, the future of Tests.
"We are moving into the modern world of sport and T20 is a very important component of it," said Kirsten. "It is really up to the individuals to decide how they want to be remembered, what legacy they want to leave behind.
"I would say 90 per cent of the cricketers that I have spoken to want to be remembered as great Test cricketers, and I think it is exciting for the game.
"We want to maintain Test cricket as the soul of the game and what it stands for.
"We understand that T20 plays a very important role in the game and you are going to have specialist T20 cricketers. We need to accept that."
The third season of the IPL will begin next week and Kirsten said he would be in attendance for some of the games to take notes with one eye on the World Twenty20, which starts on April 30 in the West Indies.
"That's probably been our worst area of performance, the T20 World Cup, and we've got a bit of work to do there," added Kirsten. "We've got some ideas on how we want to take it forward. But it's been an area we realise we need to have a re-look at our strategies, re-look at our thinking and game plans.
"We will use this IPL time as a vehicle or platform to see what players are able to do the things that we need to do in a T20 game."
Company%20Profile
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The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
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Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Torque: 700Nm
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MATCH INFO
UAE Division 1
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 12-24 Abu Dhabi Saracens
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
Turkish Ladies
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if you go
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Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
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Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
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The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S
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Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
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- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5